Hanwha eyes US ethylene plant based on low-cost shale

Hanwha Chemical (Seoul) plans to build an ethylene plant in the United States in collaboration with a local shale gas company, according to Korean press reports, citing an unnamed source. “We are in talks with a US shale gas company, but negotiations have yet to take shape,” the Hanwha official said. Further details were not disclosed. The report reflects continued confidence in the natural gas-driven revitalization of the US chemical industry. US producers have now announced plans for more than 10 million m.t./year of ethylene capacity by the end of...